Henry bate



(No MdlS H. BATE. y GEAR CASE 0R COVER FOR VELUGIPBDBS. No. 513,864. Patented Jan. 30, 1894. Y i'/0./.

ATENT EE1CE HENRY BATE, oE MALDoN, ENGLAND.

GEAR CASE OR COVER FOR VELOCiPEDES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 513,864, dated January 30, 1894.

Applica-5011 led November 1, 1893- Serial No. 489,696. (No model.) Patented in England January 21. 1893, No. 1,384.

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY-RATE, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Maldon, England, have invented a certain new and useful Gear Gase or Cover for Velocipedes, (for which a patent has been granted me in Great Britain, dated January 2l, 1893, No. 1,384,) of whichl the following is a speciication.

My invention relates to improvements in cases or covers for the chains or gear of velocipedes, and the object of my invention is to so construct such cases as to enable same to be removed from the velocipedes or to be replaced thereon without the employment of tools or skilled labor, and, if desired, without the removal from the case of any part thereof.

I will describe my invention by reference to the accompanying drawings, on which similar letters indicate like parts in the several iigures.

Figure l shows in side elevation a gear case constructed according to my invention, and xed in position upon the framework of a so called safety or rear-driving bicycle. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the gear case removed from the bicycle, and showing the interior of the device. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the gear case removed from the central fixed part of same, hereinafter described, the said central part being shown separately at Fig. 4. Fig. 5 isa left hand cross section of the gear case, taken on the line a: y of Fig. 2 and drawn to a larger scale than the previous figures. Fig. 6 is a similar view to that shown at Fig. 5 but showing another arrangement for fixture. Fig. 7shows in vertical longitudinal section and plan respectively a device for fastening the divided parts of the gear case together.

According to my invention I mount upon the bottom stay A, that `is to say, upon the tube that usually runs from the crank axle B to the rear bearing or axle B a frame composed of an upper and lower longitudinal guide C C respectively, the upper guide G being below the upper part of the chain, and the lower guide C above the lower part of the chain, these two guides being connected at or near their ends C2 Ca and secured to the bottom stay A by brackets E. I generally employ brackets of a form such as is clearly shown at Fig. 5, as I find these lto answer the purpose well, but other suitable brackets or fixing devices, such as are well known, may be employed. One of the brackets E, as will be observed by reference to Figs. l and 4:, takes onto the tube in one direction, and the other in the opposite direction, and it is by this means that the guide frame C O3 is securely fixed upon the said bottom tube A, and in such manner that by unscrewing the screws of the brackets E, the guide frame may be readily detached from the bottom stay.

When it is desired to render the fixing of the frame G C C2 C3 more adaptable to any slight variation in the position of the bottom stay A, I make the brackets E adjust-able as for exampleY at Fig. 6, where screws E for holding the bracket E pass through a slotted bar E2 fixed to the said guide frame C C thus giving vertical adjustment, while lateral adj ustment may be obtained by inserting washers or packing pieces between the slotted bar E2 and the back of the bracket E.

In order to place the frame C--C3 in the position described, upon the bottom stay, I divide the guide frame, say at D, so that I am enabled to spring the frame far enough apart at the division to pass over the stay A, after which the divided part is connected by, for example, screwfD, as shown at Fig. 5.

Gear cases constructed according to my invention are made in what I may calltwo main parts, the first of these being the guide frame already described, and this, as is now understood, is formed on its horizontal upper and lower edges with troughed guides, while what I term the second main part consists of a case which slides within the said guides and forms a coverfor the upper and lower surfaces of the chain, and it is this case which I will now describe. This second part (case or cover) is capable of being separated vertically and transversely into two parts, either hinged together or fastened by screws or the like.

In the drawings, the case F is shown divided at the end near the crank shaft, and this end part Ff is hinged to its other part F by a hinge F2, and when in the position shown at Fig. lis secured opposite to the hinge by a screw fastening G. Shown separately at Fig. 7. This screw is not calculated IOO to be removed, but on being partially unscrewed, the fork part G is released, and the end F may be turned upon its hinge into the position shown at Fig. 3.

At the part Where the rear axle B passes through the sides of the case, I provide plates M, capable of being moved in slides, and the apertures through which the rear bearing axle passes are slotted, the object ot such sliding plates being to tit up against the rear axle and close the said apertures, while by this arrangement I am enabled to slide the rear axle for adjusting the tension of the chain, Without removing or disarranging any part of the gear case, at the same time preventing the entry of dust or dirt, which would otherwise take place were the holes not so protected.

Then itis desired to inspect the chain, for example, and to remove the gear case for this purpose, the screw or other fastening at G is loosened, and the end F turned upon its hinge into the position shown at Fig. 3. The case F may then be seized at its rear end, being slid along the guides C C and removed, when the driving chain will be quite free and exposed. To replace the case F, the front end of same is fitted into the guides of the parts C C', slid to place, and the end F closed and secured.

Instead of t-he front end of the case being hinged, the front part may be made in a piece with the part F, and the rear portion may be divided and hinged so that the gear case F would be drawn off toward the front of the machine, or in some cases I may divide the case F on, say, the line H H, Fig. 3, when the two parts would be slid onto the guides C separately and united at the division by screws or other means.

Instead of the hinge F2 and fastening G, the end part F may be fixed to the part F by screws, although I prefer the hinge and fastening described.

I claim- 1. In cases or covers for the chain or gear of velocipedes, the combination with a frame iixed onto the bottom stay tube of the machine centrally, through which frame the said tube passes, and upper and lower longitudinalvguides formed on the said frame, of an outer case or cover divided vertically and transversely, and adapted to take into and slide endwise upon the fixed guides of the frame, whereby the outer case incloses the outer part of the gear, While the inner frame covers the inner parts thereof as set forth.

2. In cases or covers for the chains or gears of velocipedes, the combination with an outer case F having a divided and hinged end part F', of a frame C C C2 C3 divided for insertion over the tube A, clips E for fixing the frame C to the said tube A, troughed guides on the upper and lower horizontal edges ot"4 the frame C onto and into which the outer case F is slid and the hinged end afterward closed and secured as set forth.'

3. In cases or covers for the chains or gear of velocipedes, the combination with a frame C C C2 C3 fixed onto the bottom stay tube of the machine and through which frame the stay tube passes, clips E for fixing the frame C to the machine, and guides on the upper and lower edges ot' the frame C, of an outer case or cover F adapted to slide onto the guides of the frame C, cover pieces M on case F to close adjustment aperture at rear axle, end piece F', cover F, hinge F2 on end piece F', and fastening device G for holding hinged end piece F in position as set forth.

f HENRY BATE.

Witnesses:

T. W. ROGERS, E. S. BREWER. 

